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RIGHT TO KNOW REQUESTS

HOW TO FILE A OPEN RECORD REQUEST

A citizen can file a Right-to-Know request with the Township by completing the ‘Right To Know Request Form” and submitting it via any of the approved methods listed below:
1. Fax
2. Electronic mail
3. In person
4. U.S. Mail
REQUEST FORM: Right_To_Know Request Form

Additional information on Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law can be found by accessing the PA_Right_To_Know_Law or the Citizen’s Guide. Information can also be obtained by contacting the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Open Records Office directly. Their website address is: http://openrecords.pa.us.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE TOWNSHIP
An Township has five business days to respond in writing to:
1) grant the request,
2) deny the request (citing the legal basis for denial/partial denial) or
3) invoke a 30-day extension for certain reasons.
The clock starts the day after the request is received during regular business hours.
Acceptable grounds for a 30-day extension includes: off-site location of records, staffing limitations, need for legal review or redaction, complex request, or requester did not pay applicable fees as required, or failed to follow Township policy.
If an Township does not respond to a request in the allotted time, the request is deemed denied, and you have the right to file an appeal with the Office of Open Records.

NOTE: When submitting a request to the Township, always retain a copy for your file. A copy of this RTK request would be necessary if you should need to file an appeal with the State’s Office of Open Records upon denial.

WHAT IF MY REQUEST IS DENIED BY THE TOWNSHIP?
To file an appeal under the Right-to-Know law, a citizen must provide the following:
A copy of the RTK request
A copy of the Township’s response (or a written statement that the request was deemed denied meaning the Township didn’t respond at all).
State the grounds they assert this is a public record
Address any ground stated by the TownshipAppeal Form_General Appeal_Form_Deemed_Denied